A Letter from Leadership

"It is an incredible privilege to begin my tenure as Executive Director of the Erie Center for Arts & Technology. In just my first few weeks at ECAT, I have been reminded again and again of what makes this organization special: talented students, dedicated staff and teaching artists, committed partners, and a belief that education and opportunity can change lives.

Dr. Matthew Platz, Executive Director

I come to ECAT after serving as Executive Director of the Corry Higher Education Council, where much of my work focused on expanding access to education, workforce development, and economic opportunity. That experience reinforced something I believe deeply: the most successful organizations don't simply offer programs—they build pathways. They connect people to education, employers, resources, and one another.

That is the opportunity I see at ECAT.

As we look toward the future, I want ECAT to become even more visible and connected throughout the Erie community. That means strengthening relationships with our students and families, reconnecting with alumni, creating new partnerships, supporting our teaching artists and instructors, engaging employers, and making sure our donors and supporters can see the impact their investment makes possible.

I also believe ECAT can play an important role in the continued revitalization of Erie's east side. Our building should be more than the place where our programs happen. It should be a hub where education, creativity, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and community come together and where people can see possibilities for themselves and their neighborhood.

There is tremendous work already happening here, and my first priority is to listen and learn from the people who have built it. At the same time, I'm excited to bring new ideas, new partnerships, and new energy to the work ahead.

Most importantly, I want ECAT to remain a place where people walk through our doors and discover opportunity.

I'm grateful for the warm welcome I've received and excited to get to work alongside all of you. I look forward to sharing our progress and our stories in the months ahead."

UPMC Community Partner Award

Erie Center for Arts & Technology was recognized at UPMC’s inaugural Regional Community Champions Celebration on September 16. ECAT was honored as a Workforce Readiness & Opportunity Champion.

Our team is truly proud of the work we do and the people we touch in this community.

Arts

Teen Arts Kicks Off a New Semester

ECAT welcomed students back this month for a new semester of Teen Arts, with expanded opportunities for middle and high school students to explore different studios, materials, and ways of making art. Sixteen-year-old Harbor Creek Senior High School sophomore Olivia Stephenson is beginning her third year at ECAT, where she has already explored drawing, painting, ceramics, digital art, and collage.

This fall, she is especially excited about the new "Workshop Wednesdays" format, which gives high school students the chance to work with a wide variety of professional artists and mediums throughout the semester.

“So far, I’m already liking it with all the new options that are available.” Olivia said, while beginning a wire and paper lantern project.

ECAT has also pushed her toward materials she never expected to enjoy. “This program actually made me want to paint. I never painted before in my life. I hated painting.” Now, painting is among the work she is most proud of, and this semester she hopes to make more paintings and experiment with printmaking.

For Olivia, returning to ECAT is as much about the community as the art.

“It makes me happy. I can come here and the people are so nice.”

Art on Display Downtown

Arts and eats intertwine thanks to a newly-formed partnership with ECAT and the Erie Downtown Development Corporation (EDDC). Patrons and visitors to the Flagship City Food Hall will now see a number of leaf-inspired pieces created by ECAT student artists.

ECAT Teaching Artist Ashley Pastore led the student group through a printmaking process called monoprinting. The group mixed and rolled out ink, laid down plant materials (in this case, leaves from the area) with paper cut-outs, and pulled prints that can never be made exactly the same way twice.

'Tis the Season

Every piece was an experiment in seeing what kinds of textures and veins show up on paper.

Lesson Learned

The motherwort plant was spiky & a real pain to handle, but it made beautiful marks.

Adult Career Training

Fall Cohort Underway for CMAs

ECAT welcomed 17 students for the Fall 2026 cohort of our Clinical Medical Assistant program.

The new CMA semester began on Tuesday, September 8 and was the first cohort to be part of Professional Foundations Week. Created and outlined by ECAT's Workforce Development staff, this week helped to develop the students' soft skills in a professional environment.

We wish these 17 future CMAs luck as the first month of classes concludes.

CMA Spotlight: Tjyashanae Thomas

With the new semester underway, we want to shine the light on the students who make up our future health care professionals. This month, you get to meet Tjyashane Thomas.

Tjyashanae was inspired to enroll because of her desire to care for people and being able to impact them positively during vulnerable times. She hopes to use the CMA program as a stepping stone into a successful health care career.

"My experience in the program thus far has been great. I’ve been able to learn new things, meet new people, and push myself to the full extent," said Thomas. "I want to move up, get more certifications, and eventually work my way into nursing school."

While the workload can be heavy and challenging, Tjyashanae uses this as motivation.

"At times, it can feel like the work is becoming a lot...but I overcome that by keeping a strong head on my shoulders and knowing that I am capable," said Thomas. "Doing well in my classes also motivates me...to never give up."

Her advice to future CMA students is simple:

"Shoot for the stars, keep going, you can do it. Whatever you put your mind to, you can do it."

Ready for Your Next Career Step?

While ECAT's Fall/Winter workforce development cohorts have closed their application windows, interested applicants can join our waitlist and receive early notice of program openings

Click the button below - or share it with a friend - to be on the waiting list for the next program openings.

Join The Waitlist

Support Present and Future ECAT Students

Love stories like these and the work we do at ECAT? Consider sponsoring a student or program!

While the arts and workforce development programs through ECAT are available at no-cost to students, the generosity of public and private donors ensures this programming can sustain and grow.

Suggested Giving and Sponsorship Opportunities include...

$64 - Provide a night of meals for students
$300 - Sponsor an arts student for the entire semester
$500 - Clinical Medical Assistant partner
$675 - Sponsor a class night for arts students
$2000 - Sponsor a Clinical Medical Assistant student for the entire semester

Your financial consideration helps expand our roster of workforce programs, opens doors to new artistic mediums for our art programs, and allows even more individuals in our community to engage with our center.

Make Your Gift Now

To learn how gifts of all sizes impact ECAT and your community, contact Shawn Bednard, Development Officer, at Shawn.Bednard@ErieCAT.org or at (814) 877-7038.

Erie Center for Arts & Technology | eriecat.org